Weaving machine



United States Patent WEAVING MACHINE Erwin Pfarrwaller, Winterthur, Switzerland, assignor to Sulzer Frres, Societe Anonyme, Winterthur, Switzerland, a corporation of Switzerland Application October 11, 1954, Serial No. 461,624 Claims priority, application Switzerland October 17, 1953 14 Claims. (Cl. 139-125) The present invention relates to a weaving machine adapted to draw weft thread from at least two separate packages by means of weft inserting elements arranged separately from the packages. The weft threads are presented to the inserting elements in any predetermined sequence by a Weft transfer mechanism, means being interposed in the path of the threads for braking and/ or tensioning the threads.

For producing a variety of different materials on the same loom, Weft threads of different material, color, and/or manufacture must be used and presented to the inserting elements in different sequences by means of a weft transfer mechanism. In a loom in which the thread packages are separate from the weft inserting means, the method of presenting the Weft threads to the inserting means depends on the type and operation of the latter.

The weft thread inserting means may be in the form of gripper shuttles, or needles which are pushed halfway or through the entire shed by means of rods or flexible steel bands. If needles are used, the thread inserted by one needle from one side of the loom is taken over by a second needle which is inserted from the other side of the loom. Gripper shuttles are either provided with only one thread clamp, and are moved in a circuit, or they are picked forth and back through the shed in which case the shuttles have a thread clamp on each end.

For presenting the Weft threads to the weft inserting elements, a thread presenting element may be provided for each of the different weft threads. After a thread has been transferred to the weft inserting element, the weft presenting elements may be moved towards the edge of the fabric in the picking direction for gripping the free end of the thread after the thread has been cut and for returning the thread to the thread transfer position. In another method of presenting threads to a thread inserting element the Weft threads are individually moved transversely to the picking direction into the path of the inserting elements according to a predetermined schedule and are gripped by the clamp or the like of the inserting elements either prior to or at the time of the pick.

A thread changing mechanism associated with the thread transfer mechanism moves the desired weft thread or its presenting element to the thread transfer position prior to the pick.

One or more weft threads are inserted into the shed between two beat-up movements of the lay, the other weft threads being at rest. Particularly in high speed looms, means are usually required for braking and/or tensioning the weft thread which is not moved through the shed, said means being interposed between the packages and the Weft transfer mechanism.

A Weft thread braking and/or tensioning device is provided for each weft thread. The actuation of the movable parts of the devices is usually the same for devices of the same kind, i. e., the weft thread changing devices, or the braking devices and tensioning devices.

According to the present invention, a common driving element and a control element, for example a control chain, is provided for the parts of one kind of devices which must be periodically actuated, the control elements connecting the driving element either to the part of one device or to the corresponding part of another device.

The novel features which are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself however and additional objects and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of embodiments thereof when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically a loom for weaving equipped according to the invention, as seen from the cloth beam side; i

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a mechanism including thread brakes, thread tensioners, a thread transfer mechanism comprising a thread changing element and a thread presenting element, and drive means for the aforesaid devices;

'Fig. 3 is a diagram indicating the movements of individual parts of the mechanism according to Fig. 2 during one weft inserting period;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a sleeve supporting the driving elements;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the driving device;

Fig. 6 is a part sectional top view of a modified mecha nism including a brake lever and thread tensioners moving in a plane including the respective weft thread;

Fig. 7 is a part sectional elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a side view of the weft brake and tensioning mechanism forming part of the mechanism shown in Figs. 6 and 7;

Fig. 9 is a side view of a modified thread brake;

Fig. 10 is a part sectional view of a modification of a.

portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 7.

The same numerals designate the same parts in all figures.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, the drive means of the loom are placed in the right side of a. frame 1, all moving elements of the loom, such as the warp beam 2 unwinding the warp 3 which forms a she-d due to the action of heddles 13, and the cloth beam 5 winding the fabric 4, receiving driving power from the aforesaid driving means. A main loom shaft 6 driven by a motor 16 through a clutch 15 actuates a shuttle picking mechanism 7 and a shuttle receiving device 8.

Weft thread packages 11 are arranged on the left side of the loom separated from the shuttles 14, the weft threads individually passing through a thread brake and a thread tensioner forming part of a thread braking and tensioning mechanism 21. The Weft threads are presented in a desired sequence to the shuttles 14 by means of a thread transfer mechanism 19.

After transfer of a Weft thread 10 to a shuttle 14, the latter is picked through the shed towards the shuttle receiving device 8. A return device 9 moves the idle shuttles 14 below the shed from the receiving device 8 to the picking mechanism 7. A shaft 12 can be revolved by manipulation of one of the levers 12, effecting engagement and disengagement of the clutch 15 for connecting and disconnecting the loom shaft 6 with and from the drive motor 16. A brake 17 is provided] for quickly stopping the shaft 6 and the loom. When the shaft 6 is disconnected from the motor, the shaft may be turned by sleeve 24. The latter includes a drive cam 25 for actu- Patented Dec. 24, 1957.

3. ating a thread brake, a drive cam 26 for actuating a thread tensioner, and a carnway 27 for receiving a cam follower roller of a selecting mechanism which will be described latter.

A shaft 28 mounted to the loom frame 1 revolvably supports a lever 29 carrying a cam follower roller 31 and being pivoted to one end of a rod 38, the other end of the rod 38 being pivoted to a brake lever 39. The latter swings on a stationary axis 41 and carries a brake shoe 42. The lever 39 is actuated by a spring 46 pulling the shoe 42 against a yieldable steel brake band 45 which is tensioned by a spring 43, for example, as is disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 406,115, filed January 26, 1954.

A two-arm lever 32 supports a cam follower roller 33 and is connected by means of a link 47 with a brake lever 48 swinging on a stationary shaft 55. The lever 48 supports a brake shoe 49 which is pressed against a yieldable steel brake band 51 by means of a spring 54 acting on the lever 48. The band 51 is tensioned by 3 means of a spring 52.

A two-arm lever 34 carrying a roller 35 actuates a thread tensioner lever 57 having an eye 58 by means of a rod 56, the tensioner lever 57 being pulled counterclockwise by means of a spring 59.

A lever 36 swingable on the stationary axis 28 supports a cam follower roller 37 and is connected by means of a link 61 with a thread tensioning lever 62 having an eye 63, the lever 62 being pulled upwards by means of a spring 64.

A sprocket wheel 65 is mounted on a shaft 66 which is driven by the main loom shaft 6 in the direction of arrow 67 by means not shown. The wheel 65 drives a control chain 68 which engages a roller 72 mounted on a control lever 71 which is keyed to a shaft 69. The lever 71 is lifted or lowered according to the configuration of the links of the chain 68. The movements of the shaft 69 are transferred to a shaft 74 by means of a yielding clutch 73, for example, as shown and described in my copending application Serial No. 443,940, filed July 16, 1954, now Patent No. 2,726,685. The shaft 74 carries a toothed segment 75. A spring 76 having one end connected with the segment 75 and the other end connected with a stationary part of the loom tends to rotate the shafts 74 and 69, so that the roller 72 is pressed against the control chain 68. The teeth of the segment 75 engage the teeth of a segment 77 forming part of a thread changing element 79. The latter is keyed to a shaft 78 and longitudinally slidable supports thread transfer elements 231 and 82 forming a thread transfer mechanism including thread clamps 83 and 84 mounted on the elements 81 and 82, respectively. The clamps 83 and 84 are actuated by a clamp opener 85 for transferring a thread a or 10b to the shuttle 14. A thread feed or transfer mechanism of this type is disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 376,780, filed August 27, 1953, now Patent No. 2,783,778.

The shaft 78 is supported by an arresting plate 86 provided with eyes 88a and 88b for the threads 10a and 10b, and having a marginal portion provided with a recess 87. A locking plate 89 is keyed to the left end of the shaft 78. The locking plate 89 is connected by a link 91 to a lever 92 extending from a shaft 93. The latter carries an arm 94 on the free end of which a roller 95 is mounted which is received in a ca m groove 27 on the sleeve 24. The thread transfer mechanism 79 to 254 is positively actuated in both directions of its movement and connected to operate synchronously with the driving cams and 26.

A locking lever 96 swinging on a stationary axis 97 is provided with a roller 98 receivable in recesses 99 and 100 in the marginal portion of the locking disc 89. A connecting rod 101' connects the lever 96 with a threearm lever 103 swingable on a stationary axis 102 and having a roller 104 provided on one of its arms engaging a cam 106 on the main shaft 6. A spring 105 tends to turn the lever 103 in a direction assuring engagement of the cam 106 by the roller 104.

A support rod 107 is mounted on the loom frame 1, abutment screws 108 to 111 being screwed into the rod 107, the levers 36 and 37 abutting against the screws 108 and 110, respectively, and the levers 32 and 29 abutting against the screws 109 and 111, respectively.

Referring to Fig. 3 of the drawing, the device operates as follows:

Fig. 3 indicates the movements of the individual parts of the weaving machine during a revolution of the main loom shaft 6 from 0 to 360 during which revolution the thread changing element 79 moves from its lower into its upper position, a weft thread 10a having been inserted during the previous revolution of the shaft 6 and a weft thread 1017 now being prepared for insertion.

The movement of the lay beating the inserted weft thread 104: against the fabric is illustrated by the line A. The beating-up operation, during which the lay moves toward the fabric, begins at the moment 11 (0). The actual beat-up occurs at the moment 11. Thereupon the lay moves backwards up to the moment designated by c. The lay is idle until the shaft 6 has completed one revolution (360) when the next following beat-up operation is begun.

Line B indicates the movement of the thread tensioning lever 62. This lever may, for example, be in its top position at the angular position 0 of the shaft 6. The lever 62 remains in its top position up to the moment d, so that the weft thread 1012 is pulled up and tensioned. The moment d coincides with the moment 0 at which the lay has completed its return movement. At this moment the shuttle 14 is picked, the two vertical dotted lines in Fig. 3 indicating the time needed for accelerating the shuttle. The thread tensioner lever 62 is lowered between the moments (I and e to its lower position, in which the thread 1012 is in a straight line and pulled by the shuttle 14 from the package 11b and through the shed. The lever 62 remains in its low position up to the moment 1, whereupon the weft thread is relatively slowly pulled upward until the shaft 6 has completed its revolution. Shortly after the moment i, the shuttle 14- has arrived in the shuttle receiving device 8, has been braked and is pushed back towards the fabric in the conventional manner (for example as shown in my Patent No. 2,589,429 of March 18, 1952), so that the end of the weft thread is in correct position when the thread 'is beaten up. During the backward movement of the shuttle 14, a length of weft thread must he pulled back by means of the tensioner 62 corresponding to the extent of the backward movement of the shuttle. After completion of the revolution of the shaft 6 (360), the lever 62 has moved about halfway from its low to its top position, top position of the lever being reached at moment g during the next following revolution of the shaft 6.

Line C illustrates the movement of the thread tensioner lever 57 which tensions the weft thread 10a. At the start of the revolution of the shaft 6 (0), the lever 57 is in the middle of its movement from its low to its top position, if the lever 57 has moved according to line B during the previous revolution of the shaft 6, i. e., during the previous picking period. Since the thread presenting and thread pulling-back element 81 which has been moved up to the moment f of line B in the conventional manner in the direction of the pick towards the edge of the fabric and which has gripped the free end of the cut weft thread 100, moves back in the thread changing element 79 towards the thread transfer position, the following movement of the thread tensioner 57 effects maintenance of tension and pulling back of the thread 10a during the return movement of the thread presenting element 81. At moment .g the thread 10a is completely pulled up. Since the thread 10a is at rest during the remainder of the revolution of the shaft6,

the lever 57 stays in its top position from the moment g towards the end of the revolution of the shaft 6 (360).

The line D indicates the movement of the brake lever 48. This lever is at produce the greatest brake effect, the weft thread b being still at rest and the brake lever 48 remaining in its low position up to the moment h. Thereupon the brake lever 48 moves quickly to its top position for completely disengaging the brake from the weft thread 10b. The top position of the lever 48 is reached at the moment i, i. e., approximately at the same time the shuttle 14 is picked. The brake lever 48 remains in its top position from i to k. The brake lever moves to medium brake position between the moments k and l, producing a slight braking effect on the thread 10b. This slight braking effect is maintained up to the moment In, so that the thread 10b remains stretched while it is inserted in the shed, and is tensioned to a predetermined degree until the shuttle 14 has been braked in the receiving device 8. Thereupon, the brake lever 48 is moved to its lowest position which is reached at the moment n. mum brake force position lasts only a short time from n to 0 during which the shuttle 14 is pushed back, so that the weft thread 1012 in the shed remains stretched when it is pulled back by the tensioner 62, and no thread can be pulled through the brake 50 from the package 11b (Fig. 2). The brake lever 48 is moved up into its medium position producing a weak braking effect from moment 0 to moment p, i. e. up to the moment when the revolution of the shaft 6 is completed.

Line E indicates the movements of the brake lever 39. From a weak brake position at 0, i. e. at the moment q, the lever is brought into a medium brake effect position which is reached at the moment r. The brake lever 39 remains in the medium brake effect position before it is moved between the moments s and i into full braking position which is retained during the rest of the revolution of the shaft 6. The thread 10a which has been inserted into the shed during the previous revolution of the shaft 6 remains at rest from the moment t. The weak and medium brake effects are produced while the tensioner 57 moves up and the lay is moved for beating up the thread 10a. During the period of weak brake effect the weft thread is pulled by means of the tensioner 57 through the brake 42, 45, and the beatenup thread always has the desired tension. During the period of medium brake effect, the thread is held, so that the thread 180 remains stretched when the thread presenting element 81 moves back.

Line F illustrates the movement of the thread chang ing element 79. At 0 position, the element 79 is in its low position, in which the thread presenting element 81 is in the picking line. This position is retained up to the moment it when the thread changing movement begins, which lasts up to the moment v. The vertical dotted lines drawn through it and v define the thread changing period. The thread changing element 79 remains, from the moment v to the completion of the revolution of the shaft 6, in the top position in which the thread preseating element 82 is in the picking line.

Line G indicates the movement of the cam sleeve 24 which is simultaneous with the movement of the thread changing element 79. The sleeve 24 is in its outermost position which is shown in dash-dot line in Fig. 4 between 0 position of the shaft 6 and the moment w. In this position of the sleeve 24, the cam 25 engages the roller lever 29 for actuating the brake lever 39, and the cam 26 engages the two-arm lever 34 which actuates the thread tensioner 57. The two-arm lever 32 and the roller lever 36 abut against the abutment screws 109 and 108, respectively.

The cam sleeve 24 is axially moved into its right end position (Fig. 4) between the moments w and x. In this position of the sleeve 24, the cam 25 cooperates in its lowermost position to This maxi-- with the two-arm lever 32, actuating the brake lever 48, and the cam 26 engages the roller lever 36 actuating the thread tensioner 62, as shown in Fig. 2. The roller lever 29 and the two-arm lever 34 abut against the abutment screws 111 and 110, respectively. The cam sleeve 24 remains in its inner or right position until the completion of the revolution of the shaft 6.

The line H indicates the movement of the lever 103 actuating the locking lever 96. The roller 98 is in the recess of the locking plate 89 at the 0 position of the shaft 6 and prevents movement of the locking plate and of the thread changing element 79. The locking effect is maintained up to the moment y. The roller 98 is subsequently moved out of the recess 100, liberating the locking plate 89 at the moment z. The return move ment into locking position follows immediately, the thread changing element 79 having been moved in the meantime from its low into its top position, and the roller 98 being now received in the recess 99 of the locking plate 89., Full locking is again obtained at the moment z and is retained until the shaft 6 has completed its revolution (360).

If for the next following weft insertion, the position of the element 79 is not changed, the tensioner 62 continues to be operated between 0 position and the moment g, the configuration of the line B being like that of the first part of the line C up to the moment g. The tensioning lever 57 does not move and the line C is straight from 0 position up to 360. This is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3.

The lines D and E are also changed as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3, the line D assuming the configuration of the line B between the moments q and t. The line E becomes straight from 0 to 360. The lines F and G are also straight because the thread is not changed.

If needles or a different kind of shuttles are used for the thread insertion, thread tensioners or brakes may be unnecessary. In this case, there would be: no lines B & C or D & E, and the remaining lines would have entirely different configurations.

Fig. 5 of the drawing shows the position of the brake actuating cam 25 and of the thread tensioner actuating cam 26 after the main loom shaft has been revolved through an angle a, Fig. 3. This position is assumed halfway between the moments u and v on the line F, the roller 31 on the lever 29, and the roller 35 on the lever 34 being opposed to the portions of the cams 25 and 26 which have the relatively smallest radius. The sleeve 24 is in its middle position. The roller 33 on the lever 32, and the roller 37 on the lever 36 are at the same distance from the main loom shaft 6, as are the rollers 31 and 35, so that they are not visible in Fig. 5. The levers 29, 32, 34, and 36 abut against abutments 111, 109, 110, and 108, respectively, the apparatus being in the same condition as illustrated in Fig. 2 which shows the mechanism in the position at the end of a thread changing operation (moment v in Fig. 3). The position of the levers 29, 32, 34, and 36 is such that there is a small clearance 8 between the rollers 31, 33, 35, and 37 and the portions of the cams 25 and 26 having the smallest radius, so that the rollers are not engaged by the cam disks 25 and 26 when the sleeve 24 is axially moved.

At the beginning of the axial movement of the sleeve 24 (moment w on line G in Fig. 3), the brake lever 39 has not as yet arrived in its lowest position. Movement of the cam 25 from the roller 31 towards the roller 33 does not impede displacement of the sleeve 24, since the roller 31 runs off the cam 25. The same is the case with respect to the lever 32 and the roller 33, when the sleeve 24 is moved from the right to the left of Fig. 4. The springs 46 and 54 for the brake levers 39 and 48, respectively, are much weaker than the springs 59 and 64 for the thread tensioning levers 57 and 62, respectively.

In the modification shown in Figs. 6 to 8, a brake 112a, 112b, 112e, 112d is provided for each of the weft threads a,'10b, 10c, 10d, respectively, each brake including a brake lever 113a, 113b, 1130, 113d, respectively, each brake lever supporting an individual brake shoe 149. A thread tensioning lever 114a, 114b, 114e, 1140. is provided for each of the weft threads 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, respectively. The brake levers 113a to 113d and the thread tensioning levers 114a to 114d individually move in planes including the respective weft threads. This is of advantage because the levers can be arranged substantially parallel, so that a great number of levers can be accommodated in a small space. The hubs 115 of the brake levers 113a to 113d revolve about an axis 116, Fig. 8, and the hubs 117 of the thread tensioning levers 114a to 114d swing about an axis 118. The hubs 115 as well as the hubs 117 are provided with toothed segments 119a to 119d and 121a to 1210!, respectively. The segments 119a to 119d are adapted to cooperate with a toothed segment 122 on a shaft 123, and the segments 121a to 121d cooperate with a toothed segment 124 on a. shaft 125. The toothed segments 122 and 124 can be axially moved on the shafts 123 and 125, respectively. The toothed segments 122 and 124 are longitudinally keyed to the shafts 123 and 125, respectively, by means of keys 126 and 127, respectively, so that the toothed segments must rotate with the shafts 123 and 125.

The shafts 123 and 125 can be rotated by means of arms 128 and 129, respectively, carrying rollers 131 and 132, respectively, which are received in cam grooves 133 and 134, respectively, of a drum 135 on the shaft 6. Upon rotation of the shafts 123 and 125, the driving members, i. e. the toothed segments 122 and 124 are rotated through the same angle and transmit their movements to one of the toothed segments 11% to 119d, and 121a to 121d, respectively, with which the driving elements happen to be in engagement. In this way, the respective brake levers 113a to 113d and thread tensioning levers 114a to 114d are actuated. The width of the toothed segments 122 and 124 is the same as the width of the toothed segments 11% and 121, respectively, so that the segments 122 and 124 can cooperate only with one of the segments 119 and 121., cooperation depending on the axial position of the segments 122 and 124, when they move along the shafts 123, 125.

The toothed segment 122 is provided with a sleeve 136 which is axially movable on the shaft 123, and keyed thereto for rotation therewith. The outside of the sleeve 136 is provided with annular grooves 137 adapted to receive the teeth of the toothed segment 138. The latter is mounted on a shaft 139 on which shaft is also made fast a thread changing element 141. The thread changing element 141 is provided with thread presenting elements 142a to 142d in the same manner as the thread changing element 79 in Fig. 2 is provided with thread presenting elements 81 and 82. A. rod 143 is pivoted to the thread changing element 141 by a bolt 144, the other end of the rod 143 being pivoted to an arm, not shown, extending radially from the shaft 74 of a control chain actuated mechanism, as shown in Fig. 2.

The control of the thread changing element 141 and placement of the thread presenting elements 142a to 142d into the line in which the shuttle is picked are effected in the same manner as the control of the thread changing element 79 and of the thread presenting elements 81 and 82 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 shows the device illustrated in Fig. 6' in a position in which the thread presenting element 142d is in the picking line, and the segments 122 and 124 actuate the brake lever 113d and the thread tensioning lever 114d through the toothed segments 119d and 121d. In order to transmit the axial movement of the toothed segment 122, which movement is produced by an angular movement of the toothed segment 138 which takes along the sleeve 136 to the segment 124, the segment 122 is provided with a fork 145 which straddles a nose 146 extend ing from the segment 124. This affords independent rotation of the segments 122 and 124 and simultaneously axial displacement of the segments along the shafts 1 23 and 125, respectively, corresponding to the position of the thread changing element 141.

As seen in Fig. 8, the brake levers 113a to 113d are pulled downward by means of springs 147, one end of which is connected to a brake lever and the other to a stationary part of the loom. The thread tensioning levers 114a to 114d are pulled downward by springs 148. The brake shoes 149 are pressed against the brake bands of the brakes 112a to 112d due to the action of the springs 147 on the levers 113. The thread tensioning levers 114 pull the threads 10 downward. The lowermost positions of the levers 113 and 114 are defined by stationary abutrnents 151 and 152, respectively. These abutrnents may be made adjustable in the conventional manner. The abutments ensure that the teeth on the segments 119a to 119d and the teeth on the segments 12111 to 121d are aligned to permit free displacement of the segments 122 and 124.

In the modification of the thread brake shown in Fig. 9, the brake shoe 153 is arranged below the thread 10 and the brake band is arranged above the brake shoe. The brake shoe 153 is mounted on top of a vertical rod 154', lever 154 being pivoted to the lower end of the rod 154'. The levers 154 of all brakes swing about a common axis, as do the levers 113 and are provided at their hubs with toothed segments in the same manner as the levers 113. The rods 154 are pulled by means of compression springs 155 against abutments 156 when the brakes are at rest, so that also in this case the teeth on the hubs of the levers 154 placed in line, affording unimpeded displacement of the toothed segment 122.

The brake levers 113 and the tensioning levers 114 may be actuated by means of cams as are the brake levers and the tensioning levers in the modification shown in Fig. 2. In this case, four juxtapositioned rollers for the brake levers and four juxtapositioned rollers for the tensioning levers would appear in Fig. 4.

If the thread presenting elements 81, 82, 142 are moved in the picking direction towards the edge of the fabric, the thread presenting element which happens to be in the picking line moves through a recess 87, 140a in the arresting plate 86, 140, longitudinal movement of the other thread presenting elements being prevented by the arresting plate.

Fig. 10 shows a modification in which the sleeve 136' has a portion 160 extending to the right and is axially moved by means of the control chain 68 instead of by the thread changing mechanism. An arm having a fork 162 at its end is keyed to the shaft 74 (Fig. 2), the fork 162 engaging an annular groove 161 at the right end of the sleeve portion 160, the toothed segment 122 being provided approximately in the middle of the sleeve 136. In this case, the annular grooves 137 on the sleeve 136' receiving the toothed segment 138 serve for actuating the latter and thereby for actuating the thread changing element 141. There is of course no rod 143 in this modification.

Individual control chains or other control devices may be provided for the brake levers, for the thread tensioning levers, and for the thread changing device, all chains or control devices being either driven directly by the main loom shaft 6 or through suitable gears, so that the devices pertaining to the individual weft thread to be picked are actuated simultaneously and the other devices are held at rest. Separate control devices may be desirable in order to avoid long links which may operate inaccurately because of too much clearance or yieldability, or because of retardation or vibrations during the thread changing operation due to the great mass of such long links, rods, etc. The use of only one control device has the advan tage that a faulty sequence of the movements of the individual devices is made impossible.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions and omissions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A loom for weaving comprising, in combination, at least two weft thread packages, weft inserting elements separated from said packages, a weft thread transfer mechanism for individually selectively transferring individual weft threads running off said packages to said inserting elements, individual thread brake means and thread tensioning means for each of the weft threads running ofl said packages, a main loom shaft, actuating means operatively connected with said loom shaft and with said weft transfer mechanism for actuating the latter, selecting means for selectively connecting said thread brake means and said thread tensioning means with said main shaft for being driven by said shaft, and means interconnecting said weft thread transfer mechanism and said selecting means for coordinating operation of said thread brake means and of said thread tensioning means to the position of said weft transfer mechanism.

2. A loom for weaving as defined in claim 1, said means interconnecting said weft transfer mechanism and said selecting means including link means for transmitting the movements of the former to the latter.

3. A loom for weaving according to claim 2, in which said link means include oscillating elements and at least one reciprocating member which are positively actuated in both directions of movement.

4. A loom for weaving according to claim 1, in which said actuating means include a chain wheel connected with the main loom shaft, a chain layed over said chain wheel, said weft thread transfer mechanism including cam follower means, and said chain including cam shaped links engaged by said cam follower means for actuating said Weft thread transfer mechanism according to the shape of said links.

5. A loom for weaving according to claim 4, in which each of said brake means includes a brake pressure producing means and in which said selecting means include a displaceable driving element selectively engageable with one of said pressure producing means for actuating a selected one of said brake means.

6. A loom for weaving according to claim 5, said selecting means including a sleeve axially movable on said main loom shaft, said driving element being formed by a cam on said sleeve, each of said pressure producing means including a lever and a cam follower roller mounted on said lever and being adapted to be individually engaged by said cam.

7. A loom for weaving according to claim 6, including adjustable abutments for said levers for limiting the movement of the levers towards said cam and providing a predetermined clearance between said rollers and said cam during movement of said cam towards one of said levers.

8. A loom for weaving according to claim 2, in which said selecting means include a displaceable driving element engageable with one of said thread tensioning means for actuating a selected one of said thread tensioning means.

9. A loom for weaving according to claim 8, said selecting means including a sleeve axially movable on said main loom shaft, said driving element being formed by a cam on said sleeve, each of said thread tensioning means including a lever and a cam follower roller mounted on said lever and being adapted to be individually engaged by said cam.

10. A loom for weaving according to claim 9, including adjustable abutments for said levers for limiting the movement of the levers towards said cam and providing a predetermined clearance between said rollers and said cam during movement of said cam towards one of said levers. at

11. A loom for weaving comprising, in combination, at least two weft thread packages, weft inserting elements separated from said packages, a weft thread transfer mechanism for individually selectively transferring individual weft threads running off said packages to said inserting elements, individual thread brake means and thread tensioning means for each of the weft threads running off said packages, a main loom shaft, actuating means operatively connected with said shaft and with said weft transfer mechanism for actuating the latter, selecting means for selectively connecting said brake means and said tensioning means with said main shaft to be driven by said shaft, and means interconnecting said weft thread transfer mechanism and said selecting means for coordinating operation of said brake means and of said thread tensioning means to the position of said weft transfer mechanism, said brake means and said tensioning means including levers individually moving in planes including the lines of movement of the respective weft threads.

12. A loom for weaving as defined in claim 11, the levers of said brake means being swingable on a first axis, the levers of said tensioning means being swingable on a second axis, said levers being individually provided with toothed segments coaxial of the respective axis, a first shaft parallel to said first axis, a second shaft parallel to said second axis; said selecting means including a first toothed element rotatable with and axially movably mounted on said first shaft for selective individual engagement with the toothed segments of the levers of said brake means, and a second toothed element rotatable with an axially movably mounted on said second shaft for selective individual engagement with the toothed segments of the levers of said tensioning means; said first and second shafts being individually operatively connected with said main loom shaft for individual oscillation by said main loom shaft.

13. A loom for weaving according to claim 12, in which said toothed elements are interconnected for simultaneous axial movement and rotation relatively to each other.

14. A loom for weaving according to claim 13, in which said selecting means include a toothed segment which is swingable on its axis, and in which one of said toothed elements is in the form of a sleeve having a portion provided on its outside with circumferential grooves adapted to receive the teeth of said toothed segment for axial movement of the sleeve upon oscillation of said toothed segment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,736,029 Ashton Nov. 19, 1929 2,168,420 Pedrazzo Aug. 8, 1939 2,420,380 Moessinger May 13, 1947 2,726,685 Pfarrwaller Dec. 13, 1955 

